N'Golo Kante has earned the right not to play under the threat of coronavirus with his little-known tragic backstory belying his infectious smile... he is a welcome break from the English football circus and is the most humble of Premier League stars

The enduring image of N’Golo Kante in the wake of France’s second World Cup triumph came not in the pouring rain of Moscow.

Nothing amid the tears and ticker-tape of Luzhniki Stadium would resonate like the party in Paris a few weeks later.

Following that 4-2 victory over Croatia, the Stade de France enjoyed a homecoming bash for Didier Deschamps’ victorious side. The night began with a 2-1 win over Holland. From there, one-by-one, the players were brought back on to the pitch.

As ‘numéro treize’ stepped through the smoke, he turned to salute the crowd.